South Sound GREEN

Connecting Teachers, Students and Watersheds
South Sound GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network) is a watershed education program in Thurston County that educates, empowers and connects about 50 classrooms and 1200 students in watershed studies annually. Through South Sound GREEN, participants engage in science and engineering practices related to water quality in South Sound. We work with North Thurston Public Schools, Olympia School District, Tumwater School District, Rainier School District, Griffin School District, St. Martin’s College, The Evergreen State College, private schools and home-schooled students.

South Sound GREEN has over 25 years experience providing watershed education for Thurston County teachers and students. South Sound GREEN is cooperatively sponsored by Thurston Conservation District, Thurston County, the Cities of Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey, and Trout Unlimited. Additional program funding is provided through grants from various entities. South Sound GREEN also partners with the Nisqually River Education Project (NREP) and the Chehalis Basin Education Consortium (CBEC) in the delivery of annual programs, such as the GREEN Congress, Summer Teacher Institute, and other student and teacher development opportunities.

Providing Opportunities for Stewardship
Students conduct stream investigations that include water quality monitoring, benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and action projects. Students chosen as delegates take their findings to the annual student GREEN Congress. South Sound GREEN also provides numerous training opportunities for teachers participating in the GREEN program. Nearshore education is an important part of watershed education through the South Sound GREEN program. Students experience nearshore-marine creatures up close at local South Puget Sound shorelines and learn about the food web and habitat that sustains the species of this ecosystem. They also learn about how human actions can impact water quality and local industries such as shellfish harvesting.

South Sound GREEN is funded through the Interlocal Agreement and The Conservation Connection.